Sexism, racism—take your pick

[pjthompson]

Here's an interesting article on the role of gender and race. I think it's naive to assume either of these things has disappeared from the American landscape. Which of them seems stronger probably depends on which picket of the fence is jabbing you in your personal space. Me? Most days they seem about equal, both in odiousness and prevalence. But my opinion skews considerably when I hear things like, "Will this country want to actually watch a woman get older before their eyes on a daily basis?"

Those women can really grate on your nerves, you know?

And here's the referenced article by Gloria Steinem:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/08/opinion/08steinem.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Comments

[purdypiedad.livejournal.com]

I wish that race and gender simply wouldn't be issues to consider, but rather qualifications alone would be considered. I'm neither an Obama nor a Clinton supporter. Yet, the thought never crossed my mind that gender or race had anything to do with their qualifications. Sadly, I think many feminists will vote for Clinton just to see a woman in office rather than because they've done their research and decided that she's the best person for the job. Obama will certainly face flack from the neo-cons. I even bought into the belief that Conservatives are spreading that he's Muslim. A gentle correction from a friend and a small amount of research showed me that was just Conservative propaganda used to instill fear. But, ultimately, it SHOULD come down to whose voting record has been the most consistent, whose practices have shown the most integrity, whose beliefs will most benefit the country, and who is a competent enough leader to do the job. Just as I'm sick of people discriminating against others for race or gender, I'm also sick of people blindly promoting others BECAUSE of it. It just shouldn't be an issue at all.

May the most qualified candidate win. Period.

As for watching a woman grow older before our eyes... it may do our country a whole lot of good to witness the natural progression of aging in a woman, since we seem disdain it so much. Grrrrr.

[pjthompson]

No, they shouldn't be issues, but unfortunately, I still believe that in the minds of some, they are.

I've had a very hard time deciding who to vote for this year, and I'm still only leaning. I don't believe in anyone in particular. Ultimately, I may vote for the person with the most experience of governing. We've had 8 years of a president who didn't know much when he came into office and look what it's got us. I don't believe the presidency should be an on-the-job training position.

[hominysnark.livejournal.com]

He still doesn't know much.

[purdypiedad.livejournal.com]

--I don't believe the presidency should be an on-the-job training position.--

Heh. I do agree with you there. But, I don't think Dubya's biggest problem was lack of experience. I think the problems run far deeper than that.

It's also important to note what people have done with the tools they have been given. How have they voted as senators? Who is funding their campaigns? Even if someone has a great deal of experience, we need to be assured that their history has been one of supporting the good of the nation and their constituents. I'm afraid that with some of the front runners for the democratic nomination, words and actions have not been consistent. I think you may be on java_fiend's flist. He's recently written a pretty good post about this.

[pjthompson]

Amen to that, sistah.

[pjthompson]

Yes, I agree. There's plenty of hypocrisy to go around. And about Dubya, too.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

They're both still around, obviously. But I do think, as far as them being blatantly obvious, they're slowly fading. It gives me hope that in time maybe we'll be past it all. Probably not in my lifetime though.

[pjthompson]

That would be nice. I hope it's true. But human beings always seem to need scapegoats. The forms change, but the theme remains eternal.

[geniusofevil.livejournal.com]

I pick:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWS8Mg-JWSg&feature=related

[pjthompson]

Thank you. I sooooooooooo needed that.

[merebrillante.livejournal.com]

The article on Yahoo ignores the fact that Hilary has been a part of the American political landscape far longer than Obama has. Like a comet, she has accumulated more detritus in her wake.

[pjthompson]

Yep, she definitely has baggage. It's a Washington institution.